It’s Coming Down To The Wire

To me the visual of that statement is the life of a really good tire. One that started with an All Terrain tread that’s been pushed along every type of road. Some days were smooth for this tire as much of the rolling was on state highways that were paved with good intention, but other trips were taken too fast down some terribly rocky roads with caution thrown to the wind. Now, that poor tire is showing the signs of life all the way past the tread, down to the wire. Next, a blow out could happen.

Oh the days are too busy, there just isn’t time to stop and get that tire replaced right now- Push, push, push.

Why?

Why is it that we push ourselves to the point of destruction when we’ve known all along that this time is coming? We see the signs; the tread is wearing thin, control is compromised, the ride gets uncomfortable, yet we just keep pressing on.

Is this what life is about?

Do we even remember what we’re doing all this for?

Yesterday I finished a project that I had put off for months. It’s been ready to complete, but I kept putting other things in front of it. Finally, I sat down to finish it and found that it wasn’t as prepared for completion as I thought it was. Time I didn’t account for was taken up preparing it to be finished. Once I finally began to work on what I was set out to accomplish, I regret to say...I didn’t put forth the care and effort that I would have if I had not put it off. Which is ridiculous because I had the time all along!

I took time and care to get it to this point, why didn’t I stop and make sure the finish was done in the same manner? Now, I have to live with the disappointment that it’s not as perfect as I’d like. It’s acceptable, but not my best work.

One thing I DO NOT want to present as “acceptable” is something I’ve worked on my whole life. This project cannot be disappointing. Absolutely cannot be half-hearted or carelessly crafted. This must be worked on every-single-day, all day, without fail. I have no idea when it will be finished or how long I will have to perfect this project, this accomplishment, this gift. But when I’m finally able to present it, I don’t want to be able to lift it for the hefty weight. The colors must be vibrant and indescribable. And I really want a vast number of them-jewels in my crown.

Y’all, I get excited and extremely humbled when I imagine the day I can finally lay my crown at the feet of my Savior. Some folks say they’ll fling it, and that may be so. Perhaps it’ll be a celebratory tossing like at the end of a graduation ceremony where graduates throw their cap...I don’t know, but I envision a more honorable presentation where I humbly, and hopefully proudly, approach my Jesus with the crown that I’ve worked my whole life to adorn, the symbol of my faithfulness and service to Him, the gesture of my salvation news, my efforts to grow the Kingdom of which I will then be a resident. Each jewel a representation of something I’ve accomplished for His honor and to bring Him glory..oh to finally present it to Him and lay it at His feet. The final accomplishment for this soul I’ve been given.

I want that sucker to be HUGE! I’d love to require a low-boy trailer with a huge Mack truck to haul that bad boy in there. Of any prized collection, I want this to be the ultimate! So many jewels that only He can count them. I want Him to be so proud.

And I can not wait until I’m down to the wire.

I know the day is coming and I’m mindful of my tread. Thankfully, He presents me with new tread every day. He’s with me on the smooth days and on the bumpy ones. When I’m sliding, He corrects me and when the going seems too rough to handle, He takes over and gets me through to calm roads once again.

While the time quickly ticks away, I pray you pay attention to the tread in your life. Don’t get so wrapped up in the ride that you forget where you’re going. Stop. Walk around and check the tread. Make sure you’ll get to where you want to go and not end up where you weren’t planning on being.

To put it bluntly: Please don’t get so wrapped up in the madness and hoopla of the Christmas season or the end of the year details that you forget why we have Christmas at all. Walk around and pay attention to the family and friends you get to spend time with. Make sure...100% sure, that YOU and those you care about are going to be with you forever in Glory. Don’t wait.

Now, I’m off to put the finishing touches on my last project, even though it’s not due for a week. Making note to not be careless with the next one because I’m practicing for the last one...and I would hate for any of those jewels to fall out because I wasn’t careful when I put them in.

I’m checking my tread today, because I don’t know what tomorrow brings. Could be rough going and I don’t want to get down to the wire.

Isaiah 55: 6 “Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:”
1 Thessalonians-(tough to excerpt one passage! Read the whole thing! Exciting!) How awesome to know that while you’re being tested and having opposition, the ones you love are in good hands. Faithful and trusting God for honest. And my favorite three verses, 5: 16, 17, 18…”Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”

And if for some reason this is my last post for the year, I bid you Merry Christmas! John 3:16. Luke 2: 11.